This guy is frustrated. (Getty)Here's a hot scoop for ya: The Jacksonville Jaguars are looking for a head coach and the task may fall to a member of the Gruden family. But I know what you're thinkin' and, no, it's not this guy! My little brother, Jay, a great coach in his own right, is a leading candidate to take over down in Florida.
Yeah, that's right. I've got a younger brother and, lemme' tell ya, that guy was the athlete of the family and may even be the best coach! We used to call him the Energizer Bunny because he never stopped goin'! When he was on the football field, he made me look like Jaws on the golf course! (Booming laughter.) Jay was a quarterback at Looelville and he had a pretty good record there before movin' on to the Arena Football League where he was a regular Kurt Warner. Then he became a coach and was more like Pop Warner! You talk about versatile ...
I had the pleasure of having Jay on my staff for a few years and, I've gotta tell ya', this guy's football mind is sharp as a tack. When I met with him after his birth, that guy was drawing up X's and O's in his crib. He's been the offensive co-ordinator of the Cincinnati Bengals for one year and look where they are now! You'll hear people say, "It's only been one year. Let's wait to see what he can do." Well here's what I have to say to that: I'm not much one for boastin', but you'll remember another assistant that was on my staff, went to another team to be a co-ordinator and then one year later became a head coach in the National Football League. That guy's name? Mike Tomlin. (Laughs) Yeah, you may have heard of him once or twice.
But lemme' take off my brother hat and put on my football hat. Mike, ya mind if I borrow yours?
mike tirico hat
Jay Gruden can flat-out coach. Arena Football League, National Football League, Lingerie Football League, it doesn't matter. Those Jacksonville Jaguars would be getting themselves a fine leader and will be a perennial playoff contender if they make that hire.
As for me, I'm quite happy in this ESPN booth workin' with professionals like Mike and Jaws. Where else could I rehash my talking points during 16 primetime games in the National Football League, get to talk to guys like Aaron Rodgers and Cam Newton and still be in the booth for the grandness that is the BCS. I signed a five-year contract extension with this great network and have no plans to leave. (Phone rings.) What's that Bob? St. Louis? How much?! This guy's listenin'.
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